Michigan State Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for February

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Jan 24, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Cassius Winston (5) is defended by Purdue Boilermakers guard P.J. Thompson (11) during the second half of a game at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Saturday, Feb. 18 — at Purdue (West Lafayette, Ind.)

Of the games left on the schedule, this one has to be the toughest. Michigan State’s first matchup with Purdue didn’t quite go as planned as the Spartans took a 38-38 tie into the halftime locker room, but the second half was all Boilermakers. What makes it even worse is the fact that Michigan State was the home team.

The Spartans have struggled at Purdue in recent years and the last win in West Lafayette was during the 2013-14 season. They almost won last season in a comeback effort, but the Boilermakers pulled out a tight one in overtime.

This one won’t be as close as last year’s unfortunately. As we found out from the first matchup between these two, the Boilermakers are just too strong down low for Michigan State. Isaac Haas and Caleb Swanigan had no issue getting to the basket by backing down Kenny Goins, Nick Ward and Miles Bridges, finishing with an easy two points.

Like last time, the Spartans’ bigs will get into some foul trouble and guys like Kyle Ahrens and Matt Van Dyk will have to come in and relieve them. Things might get ugly if that’s the case.

Bridges has a big game and he’s joined by Josh Langford who also goes off, but the Boilermakers’ Swanigan will put up 20 points and 15 rebounds again.

Prediction: Michigan State 63, Purdue 74

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